“The report recommends minimizing disruptive ad formats, a greater focus on video ads and investing more in developing mobile ad creative. It also suggests more ‘real-time and contextual’ targeting in addition to demographic/audience targeting.”

“The first feature, stickers, is a way to add context to stories. After the photo or video is taken, a stickers button will be added next to text and drawing tools to further enhance them.Various stickers have been added, such as weather, current time and location, and can be resized or moved across the canvas. The location will give the viewers the ability to learn more.”

“Instagram has also added a ‘hands-free’ option to record video with one tap – which certainly makes things easier, as the user does not have to press and hold any more. They’ve also gone ahead and allowed users to add unlimited text to their uploaded media (with center, left or right justification) and wrapping.”

“Twitter has refunded advertisers whose Android campaigns were incorrectly measured due to a technical glitch.”

“In some cases, the refunded amount was as little as $1, though that may say as much about Twitter’s video ad prices as about the scope of the error. The glitch inflated Twitter’s video ad measurements by as much as 35 percent, according to Business Insider.”

“Approximately 4/5’s (83%) of the US email marketers Clutch polled sent newsletters as marketing emails, making it respondents’ most widely used email marketing tactic.

“In general, email continues to be the most cost-effective choice when measured up against other digital marketing tactics. Email had a median ROI of 122%, according to US marketers polled June 2016 by the Data & Marketing Association and Demand Metric.”

“Amazon has experimented with physical retail stores, opening its first bookshop in Seattle, the city where the business is headquartered, and has been launching a range of subscription and delivery packages which promise next-day, same-day and even two-hour delivery slots in selected areas….In 2015, worldwide paid Prime memberships increased 51 percent – 47 percent in the US and even faster in other markets.”

“On Prime Day 2016, a one-day global shopping event giving Prime members exclusive deals and discounts, more than 85,000 items were sold in the US through Alexa voice-activation alone. Subscriptions taken out on Prime Day in 2016 were up more than 30 percent over 2015.”

“Amazon in mid-2016 announced a $3 billion investment in India on top of $2 billion it allocated in 2014.”

“Since launching in 2014, Prime Now has grown to cover more than 25 metropolitan areas across the U.S., the UK, Italy and Japan.”

“Amazon is also expanding into the lucrative world of private label for food and household supplies.”

“Amazon reported lower-than-expected profits in Q3 2016 after three previous quarters of record gains, but it is seeing growing margins from its web services, which are a growing proportion of profits.”